Railway amusement apparatus



Nov. l, 1938. .1. F. coURTNEY 2,135,230

RAILWAY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS v Filed Deo. 22, 1957 5 sheets-sheet 1 W w M im d ww \NWJ aman \NJ v WM; \Nm4y K .q A. N ETI o? A a o l@ 1m@ I I gw o 18 Mv JmN Iml I L T. .WI\ Ww l QTIMN QG mi ww Mm, .wi wn W@ EN@ Nm, MN QN H Nov. 1, 1938. J. F. coURTNEY RAILWAY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS IFiled Deo. 22', 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @www Nov. 1, 1938. A J. F. couRTNEY RAILWAY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS y Filed Deo. 22, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jo/Uz/ F Courue (3 www Nov. 1, 1938. J. F. coUR'rNl-:Y

RAILWAY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 1, 1938. J. F. COURTNEY l RAILWAY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 'www | -1- l John FCOurney Patented Nov. 1, 1938 `UNITED STATES PATEN'roFFlcE RAILWAY AMUsEMEN'r Arrmm'rusV John F. Courtney, Florence, S. C., assigner 'of one-half to Heyward S. Dennis, Augusta, Ga.

Application December 22, 1937, Serial No. 181,231

11 Claims. (Cl. 104-76) My invention relates to a railway amusement apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character which will be attractive to riders and Will produce thrills, and yet will be safe.

A further object of the invention is tc provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, which will carry the passenger through a loop travel, and invert the passenger through a portion of the travel.

.A further object of the invention is to provide means which may be operated to partly invert the passenger while approaching the inverted position but will restore the passenger to the upright position before reaching the completely inverted position.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for effecting the travel o'f the passenger, or any number of passengers, while pivotally supporting them, permitting of the inverting of the passenger during' a portion of the travel, and restoring the passenger to the upright position when desired, which may be done automaticallyl or at the will of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for causing the vehicle or cars to travel properly around the curved portions of the track, without liability of moving from the track, and

without binding when travelling over the curved portions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a train to travel upon the track which will possess the desired flexibility so that the proper travel of the train will-be obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the current transmitting means which is in convenient reach of the motor propelling the vehicle or train, but is entirely out of the reach of the passengers of the train and bystanders.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character which is relatively simple, strong and extremely safe in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part ci this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

I 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a plan viewof one of the cars, Figure 6 is a central vertical longitudinal section through one of the cars, the same being inverted, and the passenger supporting element 10 locked in the inverted position,

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing `the Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the continuous trip contacts, 15

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 7, but showing modied forms of trip contacts, and, Y

Figure 10 is a plan view of the trip contacts, the circuits being shown diagrammatically. 20

In the drawings, wherein'for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, the numeral rI5 designates a vertical supporting structure or frame, as a whole, which is formed in separable units so that it may 25 be readily assembled and-separated. The frame comprises a pluralityY of vertical supporting units l. Each vertical, supporting unit comprises a pair of vertical uprights or posts I'I, connected at their upper ends bya horizontal beam I8, de- 30 tachably secured to the posts I1 by bolts I9 or the like, `engaging lateral extensions 20 of the posts I1. At their lower ends, the posts I1 have lateral extensions 2|, detachably secured to a lower horizontal beam 22, by bolts 23 or the like. 35 Arranged upon the outer sides of the posts I I are diagonal braces 24, the upper ends of which are detachably connected with the posts I Iby bolts 25 or the like, while their lower ends have lateral extensions 26, detachably secured to the 40 lower beam 22 by bolts 21 or the like. The sev. eral lower beams 22 are arranged upon suitable foundations, so that the supporting frame will have its several units arranged in alignment and held in such alignment. The pairs of end posts 45 `I'I have detachable connection with longitudinally extending diagonal braces 28, the lower ends of which are detachably connected with horizontal beams 29, in turn detachably con-` nected with the lower horizontal beams 22 of 50 the end units I6. The outer ends ofthe beams 29 are detachably connected by a transverse hori-` zontal beam 29. It is preferred to reinforce and stiften the supporting frame or structure, particularly during its erection, since it is assembled 55 t 33 or the like. This plate'may be integral with Y the beam I8, which would thenbe ,a T-beam.4

The plate 32 projects beyond the opposite sides of the beam I 8, for attachment purposes. VIn a similar manner,-an elongated'plate 34 is rigidly.

secured to the lower horizontal. beam 22, by bolts 35 or the like, andthe plate 34 may be integral with the rbeam 22, if desiredthe beam'22 then being inV thev nature of a T-beam.4 At their upper ends, the vertical supporting units I6 are all detachably connected, by strips or beams 36, sufiicie'ntly rigid, which are detaohably connected to the posts I1 by bolts 31 or any other suitable means, the adjacent ends of the 'strips 3 6` overlapping, as shown. j

Extending longitudinally within the supporting framey or structure I5 is an elongated or generallyelliptical track 38, comprising a spaced pair of Agenerally elliptical rails' 39. The rails 39 are Y 'preferably formed of YI-bearnsJigure 3a, aord'- :ing innerv and outer anges 40 and 4I, although these rails may be` channel irons. The tracks 38 comprise upper Yand lower runs V`42 and 43Vand curved ends 44, vertically arranged for connectingthe upper and lower runs. It is preferred to have the length of the runs considerably longer Y than the length of thecurved ends 44, so that the car or train mayigain suitable velocity be,- fore engaging the. curved ends `and to also provide' `a ride of suitable length. j However, the length of the runs may beyaried as. .found advantageous, by removing or insertinghrail s ections.` In the upper and lower runsV 4,2 and 43, the rails 39 are formed inv sections 39a, preferably having a length for `spanningthe distance between threeofY the 4Vertical supporting. units I6, but of course the invention is not restricted to this feature, as they may span onlytwoof the supporting units I6 ormore than three, as vdeosired.v The Aouter .flanges ,4I of the rails 39 are bolted attheir ends,` and at their centers with the plates32` andV V34,as shown at 45 and46, as shown more clearly in Figure 3. jThe curved rail ends-44 are bolted dto thel plates 32 and` 34 as shown `at 48, Figure 4, andare also bolted, between their ends Aatm49 `withplates or beams`5,

l detachably rigidly secured tothe posts I1.Y of the end supporting units. Arranged betweentherails 39V isa generally elliptical rack 5I, corresponding in kshape and dimensions to the generally elliptical rails. This. rack has itsrteeth 52 facing inwardly and the rack includes upper and lower runs42 and'43 corresponding tothe track runs 42 and 43 and curved ends 44 corresponding. to the track ends 44. The upper and lower runs 42' and 43' are made-in sections .orA lengths corresponding to the rail sections 39a and' are designated 39hand are detachably secured.. to the plates 32and 34 by bolts 53 and 54. The ends 44' aredetachably secured to the plates 32 and 34 Yby bolts 5 5 or the like, Ycorresponding. to the bolts 48, andthe ends 44T are also d'etachably Y secured tothe strips or beams 50 by bolts 49a corresponding to the bolts 49.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have shown pairs of tripcontact rails 55 and 56, which are generally elliptical and correspond to the shape and dimensions of the track rails 39, and made in sections corresponding to the lengths of rail sections. The

pairs of trip-contact rails 55 and 56 are detachf ably connected with the plates 32 Vand 34 and insulated therefrom. Wires 51 and 58 are connected with the opposite poles of the source of current and a wire 59 is connected with the wire 51 and with one trip-contact 55 while a'wire 60 Vis"connected with the wire 58 and is also connected with the other trip-contact 55. YThe wire 59 hasV a switch '6 I connected therein. It is thus seen that when Ythe 'switch 6I is closed the tripcontacts 55 willV be connectedwith the oppositeY A branch wire polesrof the source of current. 62 is connected with the wire 51 and is connected with `one'Ytrip-contact 56 and has a switch 63 connected therein. The other trip-contact 56 isl ofthe source of current;Y Thefpairs of trip-con'- tacts 55 and 56 are continuous and extendthroughout 'theentireV length of the track, 1lfor a purpose to be explained.V f Y Y In Figures 9 and l0, I have shown two pairs *of short, and arranged near the ends 44 ofthe track and located at the upper run. tact's preferably have a length corresponding-to the distance between two ofrthe'supporting units I6 and are detachably connected withthe plates 32V and are insulated therefrom.. Wires'- 61 and '68 arci connected withthe opposite pole of the source of current,and the'wire 61 is Vconnected with fone trip-'contact 65 in each longitudinal pair by a wire 6.1 and has a switch 69`connected therein. A wire 1l) 'is connected with the other trip-contact `65 in each ,longitudinal pair and with the wire '68. A branch 'wirev 1Ifis connectedY with'the wire 61 Vand has 'aswitch 12 connected therein and is connected with-the trip-contact 66 in each longitudinal pair of trip contacts. A

upon and insulated Vfrom' transverse beams '15,

detachably mounted upon each of the supporting ,units I6. The power rails '14 are formed in sections, preferably corresponding to the-length of the rail sections in the upper and lower runs I2V and 43. The ends 16` of the power rails are curved and concentric with the trackends 44.' It

is preferred to use two of the power rails,1,4,`but

of course the invention is not restricted'to this procedure as the Ysource of power may be grounded to the track rails and one power rail used.

I will now describe the vehicle to travel upon the track. In the example given, I have illustrated a train comprising an engine and a plurality of cars. Each passenger car comprises a rectangular frame 11, see more particularly Fig- Yures 4, 3a, v5 and 6. The Vframe 11 travels be- These trip-contweeny the railsY 39. Disposed outwardly of and K near each side 18of the frame 11 are vertically swinging arms or levers 19, Figure 3a, extending above and below the side 18, and these arms or levers are pivotally mounted, between their ends, upon trunnions 80, clamped within sleeves 8|, formed upon the side 18. Vertical wheels 82 and 83 are rotatably mounted upon spindles 84, carried by each arm 19, and the vertical wheels 82 and 83 travel above and below the outer flange 40, to engage therewith. Horizontal wheels 85 are rotatably mounted upon brackets 86, rigidly secured to the ends of the frame 11 and contact with the outer flange 40, preventing lateral displacement of the car. It is thus seen that each car will travel upon the rails 39, and will be held thereon when travelling upon the lower` run, and also when inverted and travelling upon the upper run. The pivoted arms or levers 19, being capable of swinging upon the trunnions 80, will automatically adjust themselves when the carriage is travelling upon the curved ends 44, preventing binding action between the wheels and the curved track ends. Each car frame 11 is provided with a pair of vertical upstanding posts 81, considered before the car frame is inverted. The inner ends of the posts 81 are rigidly secured to the frame 11 while their outer ends are connected by a transverse shaft 88, passing through openings 89 formed upon a U-shaped hanger or yoke 90, thereby pivotally mounted upon the shaft 88. The U- shaped hanger has a transverse inner portion 9 I. 'I'he numeral 92 designates a passenger supporting element, preferably in the form of a seat, which is rigidly attached to the U-shaped hanger 90, to move therewith. This seat is preferably provided with an enclosure 93, formed of wire mesh of suitable strength or gage, having a suitable door (not shown) for the entrance and exit of the passenger. The seat may be equipped with a strap 94 and a hand bar 95 of any well known or preferred type for properly retaining the passenger upon the seat, particularly when he is travelling inverted.

It is intended that the passenger be inverted while travelling upon the upper run 42 throughout the entire length of the upper run, or a part thereof, and in order that this may occur, the car does not turn for a complete revolution with respect to the passenger supporting element but only for about one-half of a revolution with respect thereto, or otherwise the passenger supporting element would remain upright and the passenger would not be inverted. The inverting of the passenger is one of the important features of the invention as itA produces a thrill. It is therefore necessary to provide means for locking the passenger supporting element to the car so that the car cannot turn with relation to the passenger supporting element, during a portion of the inverting movement or revolution of the car. To accomplish this, I provide each car with a vertically movable rear bolt 96, Figures 4 and 6, to engage behind the transverse portion 9| of the U-shaped hanger and projected outwardly by a compressible coil spring 91. This bolt has a beveled rear face 98. The bolt 96 is retracted to release the transverse portion 9| by a solenoid winding 99. The opposite ends of this solenoid winding are electrically connected with resilient contacts |00, arranged to engage with the tripcontacts 56. A similar bolt I0| is arranged in advance of the transverse end 9| of the hanger and is projected forwardly by a compressible coil spring |02 and is retracted by a solenoid winding ID3, the opposite ends of which are electrically connected with resilient contacts |04, to engage with the trip-contacts 55. In connection with the trip-contacts and 56 which are continuous throughout the length of the tracks, either solenoid winding 99 and |03 may be energized while the car is travelling throughout the entire length f of the trip-contacts 55. When the cars are used with the pairs of trip-contacts 65and 66, the resilient contacts |00 may engage the contacts 66, and the resilient contacts |64 engage the contacts 65.

The several cars are propelled by means of an engine |05, including a frame |06, equipped with vertical wheels |01, corresponding to the wheels 82 and 83 and mounted upon the frame |06 in the manner as described in connection with each carriage. The frame |06V carries a transverse shaft |023, suitablyjournalled thereon, and this shaft has a gear |09, lin permanent mesh with the teeth 52 of the rack. The gear |09 is preferably integral with a larger gear ||0, engaging and driven by a Vsmaller gear III, rigidly mounted upon an upper transverse shaft I I2, suitably journalled in the frame |06. The upper shaft ||2 has a relatively large bevel gear ||3 rigidly mounted thereon, engaged and driven by a smaller bevel gear I I4, in turn driven by an electric motor I I5, althoughany other suitable form of prime mover may be used. The opposite poles of the motor have electrical connection with resilient contacts |I6, arranged to engage with the power rails 14. One power rail 'is electrically connected with the wire 51 while the other power rail is electrically connected with the wire 58, having a rheostat 58 connected therein.V In order that the train embodying the cars and engine may possess suitable iiexibility for travelling over the curved ends 44, the several cars are pivotally connected by rigid tongues I`I1, which are pivotally connected with U-shaped sockets ||8, rigidly attached to the frames 11, by bolts IIS. In a sirnilarmanner, a rigid tongue |29 is pivotally connected with a socket I2! carried by the frame |06.

The track 38v is disposed in a vertical plane, and the posts or supports 81 secured to the cars extend inwardly from the cars and are arranged within the track. The vpassenger supporting elements 92 being pivotally mounted upon the inner ends of the posts or supports 81 are also arranged within the track, and the passenger supporting elements Vtravel lat a lower speed around the curved ends of the track than the cars, since the I elements are arranged nearer the center of the curve. By `arranging the supports and passenger supporting elements within the track, the lower run of the track may be arranged adjacent to the loading surface.

The-operation ofthe apparatus is as follows: rlhe engine propels the train of cars to the left, Figures l, 2, and 4. The latches 96 and II being lnow both projected, the passenger supporting element 92 islocked to the car frame 11, and

both the car frame and the passenger support- Cil ing element travel upwardly upon and over the has become inverted. Ir contemplate releasingthe passenger supporting element so that it may drop forwardly after-being inverted, at any given point along the upper run and hence ywill-immediately swing or -gravitate to the upright position'. This is accomplished by connecting the trip contacts 55, the'firstform of the invention being now considered as shown in Figures 7' and 8, with the source of current whereby a circuit will be closed and the solenoid winding |03 energized, retracting the forward bolt IBI. The passenger supporting element or seat 92 will now swingV or drop forwardly with respect to the frame 11. This action will occur because the center of gravity of the load carried by the element92 is well forwardly of the-pivot 88. When the hanger 81 reaches the vertical upright position, it will pass over the bevel face 98 of the rear bolt 91. and hence the bolt'will again'engage behind the transverse portion of the hanger, when the frame I8 of the carriage travels downwardly for one-half of a revolution about the Y right end 44 of the track while the hanger 8l' remains upright. In this operation, it is seen that the carriage l1 only travels for one-half of a Vrevolution with respect to .the passenger supporting element 92. If ythe front bolt Illl were not employed, the passenger supporting element 92 wouldautomatically drop to the upright position as soon as it is inverted, that is shortly after passing from theleft end 44-of the track. I

contemplate dispensing with the front bolt ll Y and using the rear bolt 96, with or without the solenoid winding to retract theirear bolt. It is preferred to use the front bolt IDI as it will hold the passenger supporting element against or- Y different combination of releasing the passenger.

supporting elements is obtainable. Some of the passenger supporting elements may be released and dropped at the left trip-contacts 66 while others may not be releasedand dropped until the rightk trip-contacts 66 are reached. The passenger supporting element 92, having its center of load forwardly of the pivot 88, the element 92 will swing in a'forwardly direction, by gravity, to drop to the upright position. Howeven Iit is possible to overcome this action iof gravity and cause the passengerY supporting-element 92 to drop in a rearward direction. lThis is accomplishedby retracting the bolt 96 while the forward bolt IUI remains projected. When the bolt 96 is retracted, the engine may be quickly speeded up which will tend to pull the car frame 11 with relation to the passenger supporting element 96, and this Vsudden jerk will throw the inverted foot end of the supporting element 92 rearwardly and downwardly, thus dropping the supporting element 92 to the upright position. The transverse portion of the hanger 8l can trip the beveled end of the bolt IDI. The solenoid winding 99 is energized when the contacts |00 engage the continuous trip-contacts 56 or the short trip-contacts 65, as may be desired.

It is thus seen that means are provided whereby the passenger supporting relement mayl travel in an inverted i position with the .car frame throughout the entire' length of the upper run, or may be dropped forwardlyor rearwardly, at any point along the upper'run,v or just prior to entering the upper run or prior to leaving theupper run. Various combinations of operations arey therefore possible, under the complete control of the operator, rendering the apparatus interesting and producing unexpected thrills.

It is to be understood that the forms ofk my invention herewith shown and described are to Yand lower runs of substantial length and curved` ends connecting the upper and lower runs so that `corresponding surfaces of-the runs are inverted with relation to Veach other, a car, means to mount the car upon Vthe track to travel longitudinally thereof and hold the cary against turning movement with relation to the track so that the car is inverted when passing from thelower run to the upper run, a passenger supporting element pivotally mountedupon the car, means for holding the passenger upon the passenger supporting element when it is inverted, anclmeansto cause .the car and passenger supporting element to turn as a unit during theV inverting movement whileY traveling from the lower,` run to the upper run upon kthe curved end so thatthe car and passcriger supporting Velement both approachlthe inverted position and then to release theY passenger supporting element so that it may drop to the upright position.

2. A railway amusement apparatus, comprising a generally vertical loop track including .v upper and lower-portions having corresponding surfaces invertedl with relation to each other, a'car, means to mount the car upon the track to travel longitudinally thereof and hold the car against turningmovementupon the track so that the car is inverted when passing irom the `lower to the upper portion, a ,passenger supporting element pivotally mountedupon the car and having means for retaining the passenger *thereon when Vit is inverted, and means to cause they car and the passenger supportingfelementafter it has been invertedinwholeor in part sovthat such element may gravitate to the upright position.

3. A` railway amusement apparatus, comprising a generally vertical loop track havingupper and lower, portions, correspondingv surfaces of the upper and lower portions @being inverted'with relation to each other,.a vehicle having a prime mover, means to mount the'. vehicle upon the track and to hold the same` against turning movement with relation to the track soY that the vehicle is inverted when passing from the-lower to the upper portiorrof the'track, a passenger supporting elementpivotally carried-"by the vehicle and having means for retaining a passenger thereon when it is inverted,rand means toV hold the passenger supporting element against turning movement in one direction with relationto the` vehicle and to vfree thesame for turning movement in the opposite direction with relationV to the vehicle, the arrangement being' such lthat the vehicle and. passenger supporting` v"element turn together during the inverting operation and the passenger supporting element may then drop to the upright position.

4. V.A railway amusement apparatus, comprising a generally vertical loop track having upper and lower portions, corresponding surfaces of the upper and lower portions being inverted with relation to each other, cars, means to mount the cars upon the track to travel longitudinally thereof and to hold the cars against turning y movement with relation to the track so that the cars are inverted when passing from the lower portion to the upper portion of the track, a passenger supporting element pivotally mounted upon each car, each passenger supporting element having means to hold the passenger thereon when'it is inverted, means to cause each car and its passenger supporting element to turn together during the inverting movement, and means to cause all of the inverted passenger supporting elements to substantially simultaneously drop to an upright position.

5. A railway amusement apparatus, comprising a generally vertical loop track having upper and lower portions, corresponding surfaces of the upper and lower portions being inverted with relation to each other, a car, means to mount the car upon the track to travel longitudinally thereof and hold the car against turning movement with relation to the track so that the car is inverted when passing from the lower portion to the upper portion of the track, a passenger supporting element pivotally mounted upon the car and having means to retain the passenger thereon when inverted, means for holding the passenger supporting element against turning movement in opposite directions with relation to the car, and means to operate the holding means to cause the same to release the passenger supporting element so that it may swing in either direction with relation to the car.

6. A railway amusement apparatus, comprising a generally vertical loop track including upper and lower portions, corresponding surfaces of the upper and lower portions being inverted with relation to each other,. a car, means to mount the car upon the track and hold the same against turning movement with relation to the track so that the car is inverted when passing from the lower portion to the upper portion, a passenger supporting element pivotally mounted upon the car and having means for holding a passenger thereon when inverted, holding means mountedv upon the car and engaging the passenger supporting element to prevent relative turning movement between the passenger supporting element and car duringv the inverting movement of the car so that the passenger supporting element is also inverted, electrical means to actuate the holding means for releasing the inverted passenger supporting element so that it may drop to an upright position, said electrical means including a contact, and a contact rail to be engaged by the contact.

7. A railway amusement apparatus, comprising a loop track including upper and lower portions having corresponding surfaces which are inverted with relation to each other, a car, means to mount the car upon the track to travel longitudinally thereof and to hold the car against turning movement with relation to the track so that the car is inverted when passing from the lower portion to the upper portion, a support mounted upon the car and exten-ding above the i same ina generally vertical position when the car is on the lower portion of the track, a hanger pivotally mounted at its upper end vupon the support andliadapted to drop to an upright position when released, a'passenger seat carried by the hanger to swing therewith, and a self-projecting bolt adapted to engage with the trailing side of the hanger, said bolt being adapted to be retracted by the hanger when the hanger is swung in one direction with relation to the carriage.

8. A railway amusement apparatus, comprising a loop track including upper and lower portions having corresponding surfaces inverted with relation to each other, a car, means to mount the car upon the track to travel longitudinally thereof and hold the car against turning movement with relation to the tracky so that the car is inverted when passing from the lower to the upper portion, a support mounted upon the car and extending above the same in an upright position when the car is arranged upon the lower portion, a generally U-shaped hanger pivotally mounted at its upper .end to the support, a passenger supporting seat attached to the hanger to move therewith and having its center of gravity to one side of the pivot of the hanger, a pair of self-projecting bolts having oppositely beveled ends for movement into the path of travel of the end of the hanger, and means to retract the bolts.

9. In l a railway amusement apparatus, a wheeled car, a track upon which the wheeled car travels and serving to invert the wheeled car, a passenger supporting element having means to hold the passenger thereon when it is inverted, and means to mount the passenger supporting element upon the car to cause the inverting of the car to invert the passenger supporting element and then to release the passenger supporting element so that it drops to an upright position.

10. A railway amusement apparatus to receive passengers from a loading surface, comprising an endless track disposed in a substantially vertical plane, said track; having relatively long upper and lower runs and curved. ends, means for supporting the track so that its lower run is arranged near the loading surface, a plurality of cars to travel upon the track and being inverted when passing from the lower run to the upper run, supports mounted upon the cars and eX- tending inwardly from the cars to be arranged within the endless track, passenger supporting elements pivotally mounted upon the supports, the passenger supporting elements remaining within the track throughout their entire travel whereby the passenger supporting elements travel at a slower speed than the cars when the cars are traveling over the curved ends of the tracks, and means to effect the travel of the cars upon the track.

11. A railway amusement apparatus to receive passengers from a loading surface, comprising an endless track disposed in a substantially vertical plane, said track having vrelatively long upper and lower runs and curved ends, means for supporting the track so that the lower run is arranged adjacent to the loading surface, a plurality of cars to travel upon the track and being inverted when passing from the lower to the upper run, means to couple the cars together to provide a train to extend throughout a considerable portion of the length of the lower run, means to effect the travel of the cars upon the track, supports mounted upon the'cars and extending inwardly from the oars to be arranged within the endless track, and passenger supporting elements pivotally mounted upon the supports at points remote'from the cars, the passenger supporting elements remaining Within the track throughout their "entire, travel Wherebythe passenger supporting elements travel at a slower speed than the cars when the cars are traveling over the curved ends of the track.

JoHN F. COURTNEY.` 

